As temperatures plummet around the UK, heating mishaps become all too common. No one fancies a freezing home in the depths of winter so if your radiators are failing to warm up, what's the plan?
Fear not, as there are three simple steps you can take to tackle the issue, ensuring your radiators efficiently heat your home without piling on the energy costs. Most radiator woes, surprisingly, stem from basic problems that can be sorted without having to summon a plumber, reports the Express.
Plumber Zhelyazko Yanchev from Fantastic Services notes there are "plenty of ways to make radiators hotter, and heat up faster, without buying a new boiler and using expensive or specialist tools". He also mentioned: "Hot water radiator systems are very simple and the problems are likely as simple, too."
1. Clean and clear around radiators
The plumbing expert suggests that the "fastest and cheapest way" to guarantee your radiators effectively warm the room is by keeping them free from any obstructions.
He explained: "That's because radiators work on the principle that hot air rises by natural convection. Cold air is drawn up the radiator at the bottom and rises out warm at the top."
So, anything placed on or under the radiator could hinder this process, making it essential to declutter around your radiators.
Radiators require a good dust-off to ensure air can circulate freely. Accumulated dust and lint can clog the radiator's core, hampering its heating efficiency.
2. Bleed your radiators
Should you find your radiator chilly at the top yet warm at the bottom, it's likely due to "air trapped inside". This air occupies space that should be filled with hot water. Zhelyazko advised: "You can quickly increase the radiator's performance by bleeding this air out."
3. Remove radiator sludge
In some homes, the opposite may occur, with the radiator being warm at the top but cold at the bottom. This often points to a build-up of sludge within. Radiator sludge is a nasty concoction of rust, dirt, and scale that accumulates over time and moves around the heating system. Not only is sludge a leading cause of boiler malfunctions, but it can also prematurely age your system, making prompt removal crucial.